Contact Ask Me About… As a native English speaker and proficient French speaker, I arrived in Barcelona knowing only a couple of Spanish phrases. I was surprised to discover that Catalan was the dominant language in daily life. At corner stores, instead of saying “buenos días,” I quickly learned to say “bon dia!” This immersion…
Contact Ask Me About… One unique aspect of my study abroad experience that other students should ask me about is what it’s like to be fully immersed—in language, culture, academics, and community engagement—all at once. I studied in Sevilla, Spain through a small program of about 25 students, which created a tight-knit community and allowed…
Contact Ask Me About… In 2024, I participated in three different Penn Abroad programs. I knew I wanted to go abroad but I wasn’t sure how, so I decided to engage with all three types of programs. I realize that scheduling constraints and competition for places means that all students don’t necessarily have this privilege,…
Contact Ask Me About… Growing up in Côte d’Ivoire, studying in the U.S., and now living in Paris, I’ve experienced education systems in French and English. Therefore, I am constantly code-switching, not just between languages, but between worldviews. I’ve had to adapt to new cultural norms, but I’ve also held onto the values that shape…
Contact Ask Me About… A unique part of my experience has been the opportunity to study abroad in both Asia and Europe, each offering a distinctly different perspective on the world. In Singapore, I connected more deeply with my cultural roots, surrounded by the rich Chinese heritage present in the country. Through the structured GRIP…
Contact Ask Me About… My Experience Abroad Traveling to Uganda and South Africa with PGDI was the perfect opportunity to combine both my academic and personal interests. We interviewed people from Jewish communities, which allowed me to explore deeper into my own culture, while understanding how Judaism looks different to people across the world. Uganda,…
Contact Ask Me About… I went abroad for the first time in a Spanish speaking country; although, I am fluent in Spanish, so there was really no language barrier for me. I am also pre med and took some classes to fulfill my neuroscience major electives while abroad. My Experience Abroad I took classes in…
Contact Ask Me About… Studying abroad in London was a first for me in many ways—my first time overseas, my first time navigating a new city with serious food allergies, and my first time balancing intense recruiting while trying to fully experience another country. Growing up in a small town in Ohio, international travel wasn’t…
Contact Ask me about… One of the unique aspects of my experience abroad was that it was my first time living outside of the country for an extended period of time. Although London is not as different from the United States as some other abroad destinations around the world, it was still a huge adjustment…
Contact Ask Me About… My Experience Abroad There was not a single experience we had on this trip that did not align with the coursework and goals of the PGS. When applying for the seminar, I reflected on my passion for sustainability. I come from a small beach town in Massachusetts where I spend a…